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By Caitlin Rung, Town Correspondent

For the past
10 years, the friends and family of former Beverly resident Ben Bradley
have played in an annual volleyball tournament to honor the life of the
college sophomore who died in a drunken driving accident in 2000.

The
two-day beach volleyball tournament, which raises money for a
foundation in Bradley’s name, has been continually successful since his
family organized the first game.

“His two sisters actually came
up with the idea,” said Eric Tosi, one of Bradley’s high school
classmates. “Beach volleyball at West Beach was Ben’s favorite summer
activity.”

According to Tosi, approximately 50 teams participate every year and
people come from all over to join together and preserve Bradley's memory.

“More important than the fund-raising, the tournament has become an
annual event for family, friends, and former classmates to head to West
for the weekend and remember Ben,” Tosi said. “It has been interesting
to see a lot of his best friends now 10 years later, some with children
of their own, some living outside the state, all return for the
tournament and enjoy the weekend at West.”

This year’s event will be a double-elimination tournament. Preliminary rounds
will be held Saturday and Sunday morning, with the final matches and champions crowned on Sunday afternoon. There
will also be a raffle going on all weekend.

Cost of the tournament is $35 per player, which includes the tournament, a T-shirt, and a post-tournament cookout.
Those looking to watch the games and attend the cookout can purchase
tickets for $12.

Registration forms and tickets are at the Bradley home on 3 Dyer Road in
Beverly Farms and at Todd's Sporting Goods, 393 Cabot St.